Recruiting Tips for Parents Just Starting the Process

How are the teams doing with college commits? How are the ECNL teams doing? the EGSL teams, the tier one teams and the CSL premier teams? I would think that ALL the ECNL teams would have rosters with all girls committed. So if your kid didn't play ECNL, what would have been the better option?
 
How are the teams doing with college commits? How are the ECNL teams doing? the EGSL teams, the tier one teams and the CSL premier teams? I would think that ALL the ECNL teams would have rosters with all girls committed. So if your kid didn't play ECNL, what would have been the better option?

A lot going on there Scottie.....u asking or stating?
 
A lot going on there Scottie.....u asking or stating?
How many commits out of how many players at the u18/19 (g98):
ECNL
EGSL
Tier One
Premier

I know that I can look at SC Blues website and I find:

EGSL/Composite--6/14
ECNL--20/22 (the 2 girls are 2018 grads)

(that is a statement)

I looked at the website, https://sites.google.com/site/soccerrecruits/
but it just lists some of the kids, not all, I thought posters might have a clue.

(I am asking)
 
Tip #2

Start the process early. I recommend that you start the process the fall of her freshman year of high school. i know that sounds really early especially since they are just starting high school and making decisions that are 5 years away seems too early but it isn't. Start getting an idea of what type of school she wants to go to. Does she want to go to a big school or a small one? Urban, rural or college town setting. Power 5 conference, mid major or D2/3. This is where she should start getting a general idea of 20-30 schools that you can start to whittle down. Also make sure that she remains flexible. I know plenty of girls that committed to schools that weren't initially on their list but fit their criteria and wanted them for the soccer team.

10th grade is fine to start, I signed my oldest up as an 8th grader to figure out the process. She's had coaches watching her since we started, 4 really good offers as she starts her Senior year. 2 had been watching her since she was a 9th grader, 2 saw her at last year's Las Vegas Player's Showcase and she just committed to one of the schools that saw her in LV last year. It's also a school that I thought would be her last pick! (shows you what I know) just go along for the ride, guide them when they need it, show them the upsides to all and let them make the choice, remember, it's about them, not you....(btw, the school is D3 and they cut the tuition in half if she committed early so, don't think there isn't $$ available if they want your DD)...East Coast Schools LOVE West Coast Player's!
 
10th grade is fine to start, I signed my oldest up as an 8th grader to figure out the process. She's had coaches watching her since we started, 4 really good offers as she starts her Senior year. 2 had been watching her since she was a 9th grader, 2 saw her at last year's Las Vegas Player's Showcase and she just committed to one of the schools that saw her in LV last year. It's also a school that I thought would be her last pick! (shows you what I know) just go along for the ride, guide them when they need it, show them the upsides to all and let them make the choice, remember, it's about them, not you....(btw, the school is D3 and they cut the tuition in half if she committed early so, don't think there isn't $$ available if they want your DD)...East Coast Schools LOVE West Coast Player's!

This looks like an interesting question - how does a DIII school make a half-tuition offer to a desired athlete?
 
This looks like an interesting question - how does a DIII school make a half-tuition offer to a desired athlete?

OUT OF STATE PLAYER'S...just keep an open mind on school's, we were lucky in that all of them were very good school's, just far from home.
 
This looks like an interesting question - how does a DIII school make a half-tuition offer to a desired athlete?
I was under the impression that DIII's really can't talk money until the kid applies to the school because there is NO athletic money.
 
OUT OF STATE PLAYER'S...just keep an open mind on school's, we were lucky in that all of them were very good school's, just far from home.

DIII schools are generally prohibited from giving any benefit to athletes that they do not offer to all applicants.
 
I was under the impression that DIII's really can't talk money until the kid applies to the school because there is NO athletic money.

that's what I thought too, I'll be honest, my heart was the local offer and when they made a push to get an early commit, I didn't say a word and we let her decide. It took her all of 30 seconds after coming home from the visit. They may not call it "athletic" and when they told us, I was shocked and couldn't argue her decision, maybe that's why they did it!
 
It's also a school that I thought would be her last pick!

Over - Your post reminded me that sometimes the school your kid commits to isnt one of the schools you/your kid initially suspects.....sometimes they know (we were candid) you're "shopping" their competition (other schools in the same conference), they step up & make a strong push for your kid....... Also, I've seen a schools 1st choice on their recruit list commits elsewhere, opening a door that may not have initially been.
 
...generally prohibited ...
What are the exceptions?

I think it is important to be precise on this forum thread. There is a difference between merit, need and soccer money (also merit). And each varies based on where.
 
What are the exceptions?

I think it is important to be precise on this forum thread. There is a difference between merit, need and soccer money (also merit). And each varies based on where.

I was responding to a claim that a DIII school cut tuition in half because an applicant was "wanted", presumably because of soccer skills. I'd like to know more about that, but I haven't heard the complete story yet.
 
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I was responding to a claim that a DIII school cut tuition in half because an applicant was "wanted", presumably because of soccer skills. I'd like to know more about that, but I haven't heard the complete story yet.
NCAA DIIIs cannot give sports money. I think there is no exception. NAIA have some options.
So a kid getting picked up by a DIII may have other options. I get that they may cost less and soccer may help them get in. The same as those trying to get into DII, DI. Except no soccer money allowed.

The best for any kid it to have both great grades and great soccer skills. that still gives options, but the reality is - I believe - many will still have to choose the priority.
 
Bottom line is, use every avenue at your disposal, NCSA (big National reach), College Fit Finder whatever and HIRE someone that knows how the system works when your DD is entering as a Junior. Hiring someone that has a great "in" with multiple colleges is huge, it also helped me keep my relationship with my DD. As a 9th grader, we were starting to argue and fight about college follow up etc, it wasn't good and not what I wanted as a parent. The recruiter / mentor was perfect, I knew from our first meeting it would be a fit, they played D1, had plenty of connections in all college levels. They were the one's making sure emails were sent, phone calls were made and grades were maintained. (It was also great when I saw something in her game, I ran it through the recruiter and they dealt with it!) Let this person deal with the money aspect as well, you can always ask for more, you may not get it but, you have to ask, I preferred to let them do that part and the parents stayed out only until we spoke to the coach to confirm everything. We now have her little sister coming up behind her (2 years) and feel we have a much better handle on things, we'll probably use all avenues again for her. Don't listen to the negative stuff, if this is your DD's dream, help her get there anyway you can. It's a crazy ride but, well worth it, these are life long memories and getting the opportunity to keep the dream alive through College is pretty awesome in my book.
 
Over - Your post reminded me that sometimes the school your kid commits to isnt one of the schools you/your kid initially suspects.....sometimes they know (we were candid) you're "shopping" their competition (other schools in the same conference), they step up & make a strong push for your kid....... Also, I've seen a schools 1st choice on their recruit list commits elsewhere, opening a door that may not have initially been.

so true, I'm still in shock, I know 2 of the 4 found out about each other and I'm thinking that's why the one she committed to was willing to make it easy for her to decide. 1 of the 2 came into the picture as a 9th grader and she didn't hear from them until a few weeks ago. I guess my point is, don't count any of them out and just keeping persevering. I have to laugh about some of the other posts about grades etc, my DD's school is a "test optional" so all of her ACT scores she's been killing herself over, aren't even necessary!
 
Overlapster, very happy for your DD and family...is it possible your advisor or the coach used the Net Price Calculator to estimate what the tuition will be in your case? I have only heard of D3 schools disclosing the net price when they send out the admissions letter some time in December of senior year...also high grades are no laughing matter... honestly...higher grades + higher test scores = many many many many more options especially when combined with outstanding soccer skills...
 
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